Nithya Kriya for Heart Diseases

“Cardiovascular disease” is the name given to any of a number of diseases that affect the heart itself and/or the vascular system, especially the blood vessels leading to and from the heart. Apart from congenital heart diseases, in which the person is born with the heart disease, the most common types of acquired heart disease are coronary artery disease (CAD) and congestive heart failure (CHF). CAD and CHF are caused by high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, obesity and hereditary factors.

Some of the symptoms of heart diseases are pain in the chest, shortness of breath, palpitations, swelling of feet or legs, weakness and cyanosis (skin turning a blue colour). However, it is important to know that often a person can have a heart disease and not feel sick.

Instructions

Step 1: Bhujangasana

Lie flat on the stomach with legs straight, feet together and soles of the feet facing upward

Place the palms of the hands flat on the floor, below and slightly to the side of the shoulders

The fingers should be together and pointing forward

The arms should be positioned so that the elbows point backward and are close to the sides of the body

Rest the forehead on the floor and close the eyes

Relax the whole body, especially the lower back

Slowly raise the head, neck and shoulders

Straightening the elbows, raise the trunk as high as possible

Use the back muscles more than the arm muscles (Be aware of using the back muscle first while starting to raise the trunk. Then use the arm muscle to raise the trunk further and arch the back)

Tilt the head backward, so that the chin points forward and the back of the neck is gently compressed

In the final position, the pubic bone remains in contact with the floor and the navel is raised a maximum of 3 cm (if the navel is raised too high, the bend tends to be in the knees and not in the back)

The arms may or may not be straight

Hold the final position for 60 seconds

To return to the starting position, slowly bring the head forward, release the upper back by bending the arms. Lower the navel, chest, shoulders and finally the forehead to the floor

Relax the lower back muscles

Step 2: In Bhujangasana, Uddiyana Bandha

Get into Bhujangasana

Exhale completely

Without inhaling, contract the bowels equably above and below the navel towards the back, so that the abdominal viscera may touch the back

Hold as long as possible judiciously

Release the pose while inhaling slowly and rest the forehead on the ground

Do this for 21 times

Step 3: In Bhujangasana, Jalandhar Bandha

Get into Bhujangasana

Inhale fully

Place the chin on the chest and contract the throat

Hold as long as possible judiciously

Release the pose and the throat lock while exhaling slowly

Rest with the forehead on the ground for a moment

Do this 21 times

Step 4: Bhadrasana

Bring the sole of the feet together, and place the heels crosswise under the genitals

Take hold of the toes with the hands

Fix the gaze on the tip of the nose

Stay in this posture for 3 minutes

Step 5: In Bhadrasana, Sheethali Pranayama

Continue to sit in Bhadrasana

Close the eyes and relax the whole body

Extend the tongue outside the mouth and roll the sides of the tongue up so that it forms a tube

Inhale slowly through the tongue and fill the abdomen slowly

At the end of inhalation, roll the tongue in, close the mouth swallow the whole air and retain

Exhale slowly through the nose

Do this 21 times

Step 6: In Bhadrasana, Sheetkari Pranayama

Press the lower and upper teeth together and separate the lips as much as comfortable

Breathe in slowly through the gaps of the teeth

Listen slowly to the sound of the breath as the air is being drawn in

Close the mouth at the end of the inhalation

Hold as long as you can

Exhale slowly through the nose

Do this 21 times

Kriya Given by Nithyananda on 3rd November, 2011, in Bidadi Ashram, Bangalore, India